For more than two decades, NCIS has been more than just a crime procedural — it’s been a constant in the lives of millions. A show filled with heart, humor, and high-stakes investigations, yes — but more than anything, NCIS has given us characters we’ve grown up with, laughed with, cried with, and, all too often… had to say goodbye to.
And let’s be honest — those goodbyes?
They hurt.
A lot more than we ever expected.
Let’s take a look back at some of the most emotional exits in NCIS history — and why each one left such a lasting mark.
Tony DiNozzo – The Charming Heart of the Team
When Michael Weatherly left NCIS in Season 13, it felt like the end of an era. Tony DiNozzo wasn’t just comic relief — he was the emotional center of the show for many fans. His banter with Gibbs, his flirtation-turned-devotion to Ziva, and his constant growth from cocky rookie to protective agent made him one of the most beloved characters in TV history.
And when he found out Ziva had died (or so he thought) and left to raise their daughter alone? We cried. Every. Single. Time.
His departure was a gut-punch — softened only by the hope that someday, Tony and Ziva might find their way back to each other.
Ziva David – The Warrior with a Wounded Soul
Ziva David was never just “the girl on the team.” She was fierce, brilliant, and deeply layered. Her struggle with identity, family, and belonging resonated with so many viewers — and her chemistry with Tony made hearts flutter for years.
When she left in Season 11, it felt like something vital had gone missing. And when we thought she died in an off-screen explosion? Devastating.
Ziva’s eventual return in later seasons gave fans a flicker of closure — but it also reminded us of how deeply her absence had been felt.
Abby Sciuto – The Gothic Sunshine
Abby wasn’t just the team’s forensic scientist — she was the soul of NCIS. Her pigtails, Caf-Pow addiction, and bubbly personality were instantly recognizable. But underneath that quirky exterior was a brilliant, compassionate, and deeply loyal friend.
Her emotional goodbye in Season 15 — sparked by a traumatic shooting — left fans in tears. Abby walking away from Gibbs, heartbroken but strong, felt like losing a piece of home.
To this day, her absence still feels like a missing puzzle piece.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs – The Father Figure Who Always Had Our Six
Mark Harmon’s Gibbs wasn’t just the boss — he was NCIS. Stoic, wise, and quietly haunted by his past, Gibbs was the moral compass of the series. When he stepped away in Season 19, it felt unthinkable. Could NCIS even go on without him?
But true to form, his final scenes were understated and powerful. No big farewell speech. No overdone drama. Just Gibbs, fishing in Alaska, finally at peace.
His absence still echoes — and always will.
Nick Torres – The Broken Bad Boy with a Big Heart
If recent rumors prove true and Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) is truly leaving the show after Season 21, fans are once again bracing for heartbreak.
Torres brought a different energy to NCIS — raw, emotional, unpredictable. Haunted by abandonment and shaped by life undercover, his relationship with Bishop, his loyalty to Gibbs, and his slow opening-up to the team made him more than just the “tough guy.”
If he leaves for good, it’ll mark yet another painful goodbye in a long line of characters we’ve grown to love — and lose.
Why It Hurts So Much
These characters aren’t just part of a TV show. They’ve been with us through the years — through life changes, school, jobs, even pandemics. They’ve been comfort characters, familiar voices, faces we looked forward to every week.
So when one of them leaves, it’s not just a casting change.
It’s personal.
And maybe that’s the secret behind NCIS’s longevity. It’s not just about solving crimes.
It’s about connection.
It’s about found family.
And sometimes… it’s about the pain of letting go.
💬 Who was the hardest NCIS character for you to say goodbye to?
Tell us in the comments — and tag a fellow fan who cried along with you.
